Back To Binder Basics

"Most of all, someone has taken the trouble to make things nice. To fluff up the pillows, fill a vase with flowers, put down freshly laundered throw rugs,or set a pot of potpourri to simmer. These little grace notes of sight and scent do more to make a home feel gracious and expansive than all the expensive furniture in the world."

I read this quote on Copperswife last June, and it has stuck with me! (you can read it here) Sadly, it just stuck in my mind, and I didn't implement it. 2011 has been "The Year of the Sloth" around here, and my home has suffered the most. I have spent the year working very hard at not working! My 2011 goals are left 90% unmet. That is insane....it should be the other way around. Well, this year I am turning it around! My Home Management Binder is pulled back out, reworked a bit to fit my current schedules, and within a short couple of months, my home will back to ship shape!!!

I even made that quote my front page.

I started today, right where the book says to begin....I didn't get my entire house in order BEFORE I started...I just dove right in as if I had been following it all along. I used a daily sheet and crossed off my tasks as they were finished.

A little bit of deep cleaning was added. A couple of kitchen cupboards were cleaned out, but my scheduled focus cleaning will start after the New Year.

It is one of main goals for 2012...to get my house back in order!

Speaking of order, I LOVE that feeling when all the Christmas stuff comes down and things get put back into place. I always change a few things in the process....I am itching for some new placemats for the kitchen table. These look just a tad "Old Lady". I will look for just the perfect ones in the next couple of shopping trips.

The tree came down today and Sassy supervised from her spot on the couch.

Cammy found Zachary's Merry-Go-Round amusing!!! She climbed in and out of it, batting at the sides as it went around! She is fully recovered from her bout with the tummy bug.

She is growing by leaps and bounds and LOVES Kyle. She will curl up with him and purr herself to sleep. She does not do that with most people.The grand kids are here for the week. Such sweeties, and I enjoy every minute with them! It is close to bed time, so I am off to tuck them in. I will be back with more on my 2012 Goals, and I am sure some TJ and Emerson pictures!!

Christmas 2011

I thought I would share a bit of our family's Christmas. Christmas Eve is always our extended family celebration. Above is a picture of all the "little" kids. This year, my parents were thrilled to have all 6 of their grandchildren and all 4 1/2 (Lisa is expecting number 5) of their great grandchildren at the Christmas party.
Here is a picture of my own little family..... My parents, me, and my sister, Debbie.My parents and their dog, Mamie.....Mamie has turned out to be the nicest dog EVER. She is 4 and was rescued from a puppy mill where she had 4 litters in 3 years. She thinks Cammy is her baby! LOL...Cammy is not falling for it! My parents ADORE her!And here is EVERYone......Our Christmas Day was a quiet one, as it always is. Our oldest son came for dinner and we had our traditional Lasagna and garlic bread. The kids opened presents in the morning and Cammy's first Christmas was SUCH FUN! That kitty LOVED every minute of it! Sass stayed close to me and watched her with lots of curiosity!GO BEARS!!!!!!!Everyone was thrilled with their gifts and it was a fun day....the meaning of the day was not lost on any of us as we focused on the birth of our Saviour.
A couple of gifts need honorable mentions! About a month ago, Yvonne sent Charlotte a box of yarn. What a blessing that was for my daughter to see and feel the generosity of someone she has never met. Well, my daughter took some of that yarn and secretly made me a beautiful throw for Christmas!!!Her stitches are perfect. It looks beautiful on the back of the living room couch!I also received a package from Winona. She sent me some wonderful handmade gifts! I know this is a potholder, but it was just too dang cute to use for that....I hung it in my hallway! It is a focal point as you are coming down the hall!A crocheted dishcloth (no pic, sorry) and this GORGEOUS hand quilted wall hanging were also in the package. I was overwhelmed! Winona's hand quilting and hand embroidery stitches are beautiful!"Friendship is a sheltering tree" Isn't that the truth!
I pray your Christmas was as wonderful as mine was! Next up.....Goal setting!

Raffle Tickets

Raffle tickets for Isla's (pronounced EYE-LA) quilt are now on sale at Quilt For Isla. There are several packages to choose from....just click on the drop down box to choose the one for you. Paypal is the only source of taking payments for the tickets....unless you would like to mail a check or money order, and then you would need to email me privately at healingsense@comcast.net . 100% of ALL the money is going directly to Isla's family to help them cover costs of her treatments.

A HUGE thank you to all those who sent blocks. They were what made this quilt so special. Also, to Cyndi....thank you for helping with the cost of the batting. You are so generous! Coleen....your machine quilting is amazing and I know you will receive a special blessing from above for all your time and hard work!

Now, jump over to the ticket site and grab your tickets for the Feb. 14, 2012 drawing.

What's that you say? FREE tickets??? Oh yes....thanks for reminding me! How can YOU get a free chance at this quilt? All you have to do is announce this raffle on your own blog. Link to the actual Quilt For Isla site and then come back here to THIS post and leave a comment that you announced. I will personally put your name in once for a free chance to win!

Merry Christmas!

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

High Five For Friday

Welcome to my High Five For Friday. A time to look back at the week and share my top five highlights! I love this because it is POSITIVE....you can not share drama or problems or worries or concerns! If you did not have 5 great things happen last week, it is time to look harder! My top 5 are....

1.) My new purse. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! My friend had a Thirty-One party and this is what I ordered. It is darling!2.) The biggest highlight of the week is that the grandkids came to stay. We are having such fun, and though the house is trashed, that is ok....we are having a great time!3.) A couple weeks ago I got a smart phone. It was my Christmas gift from Sweetheart. I was going to take it back...it does WAY more than I need, but he said, "no"...he wants me to keep it. If I am keeping it, I need it to at least have some style! I got this cover for it the other day. So pretty!

4.) With the raffle quilt done and gone, the UGRR Sampler is back in the hoop and I am enjoying my evenings working on it! This one is going faster than I thought it would. I am planning my 2012 quilting goals next week!5.) Isla's tickets are for sale!!!! WOOHOO!!! Stay tuned, because on Monday, I will officially announce it and share how you can get a free chance to win this incredible quilt! In the meantime, feel free to buy tickets ;) Visit www.quiltforisla.blogspot.com to purchase your chances and help this family!
To link up and do your own High Five For Friday, visit From My Grey Desk!

Over The River and Through The Woods

My grandchildren came to spend a few days with us. They immediately (like before they had their coats off) wanted to make their annual gingerbread houses. I convinced them it could wait til after lunch. They has so much fun!
Emerson looked up just long enough to say, "Grandma, I am so happy." My heart melted. Memories. That's what Grandma's house is all about. And what's a memory without some icing on your eyelid!?TJ had a great idea....gosh, he looks so much like his daddy at this age.They all (Uncle Zach included) made beautiful houses this year.That tray of candy was GONE...and only about 1/2 of it was used on the houses LOLSeems everyone was having a bad hair day......heehee......The grandkids got to open a present early. Really, it was because they could use them over these next few days.....New beds for at Grandma's house!!! TJ has been sleeping on a crib mattress and Emerson was still in the playpen. She is SO excited to be in a big girl bed here!
In other news, our little Cammy was a very sick kitty for a few days.She had some tummy trouble, but after some time (or the shot of antibiotic she got at the vet as a precautionary) she is back to normal. I was quite worried for her.
The raffle quilt is DONE and hanging at the meat shop....the owner's daughter is Isla. I will have the site up right after Christmas so you can all order tickets. Don't forget there will be a way to get a free ticket also.Tomorrow is a trip to the mall to see Santa, and some cookie baking. When at my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday, the question was asked, "How will you handle the challenges of the holidays and all the fattening treats?" My answer was, "I will let the grandkids help me bake and not make them wash their hands first!" LOL....if you get a tray of cookies from me, beware!